Toro Vs Husqvarna Vs Ariens Zero Turn Mowers

Buyers Guide – Toro Vs Husqvarna Vs Ariens Zero Turn Mowers

When purchasing a zero-turn mower, there are several factors to consider. Though you can find pictures of each mower online, it can be hard to find all the information you want to know just in an online listing. Still, you want to know more than the dimensions. You need to understand how the mower will perform, how you will feel using it, and how long you can expect to use it. Sometimes even the best reviews won’t provide this information. Here’s why these three factors matter when considering which model to purchase.

Comfort

Though much of the vehicle description will be focused on how the mower will cut your grass, the reality is: you’re the one using it. When we purchase office chairs, cars, or anything else we use often, we want to know how we will feel using it—the ergonomics matter, especially for products we use often. Just like the lumbar support on an office chair matters, you want to know if a particular mower will cause you to have a knot in your shoulder that will cause you pain. A review won’t always tell you what you need to consider these factors.

With a mower, you want to know how the seat is set up. It’s helpful to know if the seat is adjustable, how padded it is if it has a high back or any lumbar support, and if there are springs to offset the shock from bumping around your lawn. 

With a zero-turn mower specifically, you’ll want to know how easily you can push or pull each steering lever. Will you have to bend or turn? How responsive is the steering functionality? Are there brake levers or foot pedals? You might even consider how easy it is to get on or off the mower.

Some mowers have additional features built for operator comfort. Check the description closely for details like cupholders, armrests, lights, etc. 

Cut

Of course, the most obvious factor to consider when buying a zero-turn mower is how well it will cut your grass. You’ll want to look for the data on how low the blades can get to the ground and how short or tall they can cut the grass. Some mowers offer a manual adjustment, which allows the operator to set this height themselves. This can be a pro or con depending on how much control you want or how much knowledge you have of the optimal grass height. Another option that many mowers have is pre-determined settings that you can adjust to your liking. Some people like this option better because they have options, but they don’t have to program it themselves. 

One factor to consider when reading reviews online might be how the mower’s blades perform. Some blades wear out faster than others and may need to be replaced more frequently. In addition, you’ll want to know how easy it would be to find and purchase new blades and how accessible it would be to replace them yourself.  

An additional factor that may be important to you is built-in capabilities to collect grass clippings. Can you attach a bag or container, or will you have to rake up clippings afterward manually? Some people care about this, and others don’t mind leaving grass clippings in the grass to fertilize further growth. Either way, it’s essential to know your preferences and purchase a product that offers them.

Repair

We all like to think that our brand new machine will last forever, but wear and tear happens over time. The critical facet to consider is how the product will function as it wears out and how easy it is to fix if something breaks. Research if there are consistent defects in any specific models; are there parts known to break? If so, have customers found it easy to find those parts online and install them?

Other than known defects, it also might be relevant to think about parts that you or your lawn use more than average. For example, do you find that your blades or springs show wear frequently? How easy is it to find those parts online? Are there any parts that you can’t find to purchase?

Different models are built differently, so it may be beneficial to research how easy it is to “pop the hood” in a sense and access the engine, gas tank, etc. Some models have parts tucked underneath bars or pipes, which makes it harder to access essential parts. Others are built so that repair is easy and parts are accessible. For example, does this manufacturer want you to fix your mower, or have they made it unnecessarily difficult to do your own maintenance? 

Safety Features

We never want to think about what can go wrong, but if something does, a powerful mower can do much harm. Therefore, it’s imperative to consider what safety features each model has. 

Most mowers have a safety feature built into the seat so that if weight is no longer positioned on the chair, the engine will stall. It’s good to check into this feature for the models you are considering. Higher quality mowers often have other capabilities built-in. Is there an instant way to brake or turn off the mower? Is there a way to stop the blades from moving or lift them higher?

The weight of bigger mowers plays a big part. If you have steep inclines in your yard, you want a mower that can maintain a center of gravity on hills without tipping over. These larger mowers can weigh 700-800 pounds, so if one flips on top of you, it can cause extensive crush injuries. It is vital to check what safety features the manufacturer has built in to minimize this risk. Some models may be particularly built to handle more steep inclines, which is an excellent factor to consider based on the terrain you’ll be riding over. 

Some mowers have seatbelts; some have kill switches, stabilizers, warning systems, or other capabilities. So don’t forget to look into the features you find most important and purchase a mower that you are sure will provide the safety you deserve. 

Reviews

Here at Cleaning King, we have identified three brands that stand out as exceptional zero-turn lawn mower systems. These machines are built to provide top-quality functionality, comfortable operation, and wonderful features that stand out from other brands and models. To help you make a more informed decision, we will provide a detailed breakdown of specific models from each brand and conclude with our personal recommendation.